Daily News 19

Tag: Andrea Kimi Antonelli

  • Why Mercedes’ Huge Baku Practice Advantage May Not Be the Real Picture

    Why Mercedes’ Huge Baku Practice Advantage May Not Be the Real Picture

    Key Highlights

    • George Russell topped both Thursday practice sessions at the Baku City Circuit, with Mercedes holding a 0.827-second advantage over Max Verstappen’s Red Bull.
    • Red Bull technical director Pierre Waché admitted the deficit was larger than expected, particularly on straight-line speed, while Mercedes deputy principal Bradley Lord cautioned against reading too much into the times.
    • Championship leader Kimi Antonelli lost critical track time due to a hydraulic failure requiring an engine change, though Mercedes avoided a grid penalty as the replacement unit was from the existing pool.

    Mercedes Dominates Opening Practice in Baku as Russell Sets Pace

    Mercedes delivered a commanding performance during Thursday’s two practice sessions at the Baku City Circuit, with George Russell leading the timesheets in both FP1 and FP2. The British driver’s benchmark left the first non-Mercedes entry — Max Verstappen’s Red Bull — trailing by 0.827 seconds, a margin that immediately caught the attention of rival teams. The session unfolded without Mercedes’ long-awaited upgrade package for the W17, which is slated for debut in Malaysia, making the outright pace on the existing specification all the more striking for the competition.

    Red Bull Concedes Unexpected Straight-Line Deficit

    The scale of the gap prompted a candid assessment from Red Bull technical director Pierre Waché, who acknowledged the deficit exceeded pre-weekend expectations.

    “Yes, I didn’t expect this big gap, mainly on the straights. Afterwards we have to analyse if it’s coming from a tow [or something else]. But yes, we have work to do to achieve what they have achieved”,

    Waché told Motorsport.com. He added that while Red Bull will introduce its final major upgrade package for the RB22 this weekend, the current picture looks challenging.

    “I hope that it’s closer, but it looks like they are a lot quicker than us. We will see what we can do to make the car quicker, but if this is the real delta, then it will be tough for us.”

    Red Bull junior Isack Hadjar, returning to the cockpit after illness, echoed the sentiment, describing Mercedes as “out of touch” relative to the rest of the field.

    “A bit, [and thinking] why they are so far away. I think that’s very impressive. I think we have a good car, we’ve been in the mix with McLaren and Ferrari, but yeah, Mercedes, they are out of touch.”

    Mercedes Urges Caution Despite Commanding Display

    Despite the dominant showing, Mercedes deputy team principal Bradley Lord — standing in for Toto Wolff this weekend — moved quickly to temper expectations. Lord attributed much of the apparent advantage to program differences, noting Mercedes completed more timed laps on the soft compound during FP2.

    “I don’t think it’s a representative gap, honestly. We ran more timed laps on the soft tyre in FP2. Max only had one go, so did the McLarens.

    “Probably don’t read too much into it, because every timed lap you did, the lap times were improving. We did one more than everyone else, and therefore probably found a bit more in the track and a bit more in the tyre than they were able to.”

    Lord highlighted Russell’s strong track record at Baku, where the driver finished second last year despite illness, as a factor in the team’s confidence.

    “George was pretty sick here last year and still finished P2. So it’s a circuit… I mean, he goes well at every circuit, but this is one where traditionally he’s had some really strong results”,

    Lord said. He also emphasized the value of having both cars performing at the front.

    “And that’s what you’re looking for as a team, that if one car hits trouble, the other one’s right up there and leading the way. He’s done that today and hopefully can continue doing that through the rest of the weekend.”

    Antonelli Loses Track Time to Hydraulic Issue

    The “trouble” Lord referenced befell championship leader Kimi Antonelli, who suffered a hydraulic failure during FP1 that forced an unscheduled engine change. The mechanics completed the swap in roughly 15 minutes, readying the car just as a red flag halted FP2.

    “Obviously it’s put him behind the curve a little bit, so he’s just missing laps and missing time out on track, but equally, it was a mega job from the mechanics”,

    Lord explained.

    “The car came back, I think, 15 minutes after practice, and it was ready to go just as the red flag came out in FP2. So they did an epic job to swap the engine, get the old one out and the new one in.

    “No penalty, because it’s one that’s already in the pool, and yeah, we were ready to go. So we’ve at least salvaged as much of the session as we could.”

    The lost running is particularly costly on a street circuit where track evolution is rapid and confidence-building laps are at a premium.

    Rivals Play Down Thursday Significance

    Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur dismissed the relevance of Thursday’s timesheet with characteristic bluntness.

    “I’m getting too old to pay too much attention to Friday!”

    When reminded the session took place on Thursday, Vasseur laughed and added:

    “Friday is useless, imagine the Thursday!”

    Why This Matters

    Mercedes’ unexpected pace in Baku reshapes the narrative around the 2025 championship fight. After a season where McLaren and Ferrari have regularly challenged Red Bull, a Mercedes resurgence — especially without its planned upgrade — introduces a three-way battle at the front that few predicted. For Red Bull, the straight-line deficit highlighted by Waché suggests a fundamental aerodynamic or power-unit installation discrepancy that upgrades may not fully resolve at this circuit. Antonelli’s lost track time could prove decisive in a tight qualifying battle, where street-circuit experience and rhythm are critical. With Mercedes’ upgrade still to come in Malaysia, the competitive hierarchy may shift again before the flyaway races conclude.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Why was Mercedes so far ahead in Baku practice without its new upgrade package?

    Mercedes’ advantage likely stems from a combination of George Russell’s exceptional suitability to the Baku street circuit, a favorable tire preparation strategy that included more soft-compound timed laps than rivals, and strong baseline performance of the current W17 specification. Deputy team principal Bradley Lord explicitly cautioned that the gap is not fully representative.

    Will Kimi Antonelli face a grid penalty for the engine change?

    No. The replacement power unit was drawn from Mercedes’ existing pool allocation, meaning no penalty applies. The mechanics completed the swap during the FP1/FP2 break, allowing Antonelli to participate in the remainder of FP2, albeit with reduced running.

    What is Red Bull’s plan to close the gap this weekend?

    Red Bull is introducing its final major upgrade package for the RB22 at Baku. Technical director Pierre Waché acknowledged the team has “work to do” to match Mercedes’ straight-line speed and overall pace, but the new parts are expected to address some of the aerodynamic shortcomings exposed on Thursday.

  • Kimi Antonelli’s Luxury Problem Sparks Concern for Toto Wolff and Mercedes

    Kimi Antonelli’s Luxury Problem Sparks Concern for Toto Wolff and Mercedes

    Key Highlights

    • Kimi Antonelli secured a strong result at the Madring circuit in Madrid despite repeated track-limit warnings from race engineer Pete Bonnington and a late-race brush with the wall at Turn 7.
    • Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff described the 20-year-old Italian as “an inch too cool,” joking with father Marco Antonelli about his son’s aggressive driving while acknowledging it may be the source of his speed.
    • Both Wolff and Antonelli insist the rookie is not thinking about the championship, emphasizing a compartmentalized approach and a strong support network to manage pressure through the remainder of the 2025 season.

    Antonelli’s Flat-Out Approach Tests Mercedes’ Patience in Madrid

    The Madring circuit in Madrid provided the latest showcase of Kimi Antonelli’s uncompromising driving style, a trait that continues to deliver results while simultaneously testing the nerves of the Mercedes pit wall. Race engineer Pete Bonnington assumed the role of a stern schoolteacher throughout the Grand Prix, relentlessly reminding the 20-year-old Italian to respect track limits on a layout where overtaking proved virtually impossible. Having gained an early advantage from a well-timed virtual safety car period, Antonelli’s primary task was to bring the car home cleanly ahead of Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, who were resigned to following the Mercedes to the finish line.

    Radio Drama: From “Weird Steering” to a Wall Strike

    The race weekend nearly took a dramatic turn earlier in the event when Antonelli delivered what sounded like a prank call over the team radio. Antonelli: “Check the car!” Bonnington responded calmly, “Which corner?” only for the driver to clarify, “No I didn’t touch any wall, but the steering feels weird…” The tension escalated with five laps remaining. Despite facing little genuine pressure from behind, Antonelli tagged one of the concrete walls lining the challenging circuit. “I touched the wall on the entry to Turn 7,” Antonelli yelled. The incident underscored a pattern of flirting dangerously with track boundaries, much to the dismay of his father Marco and team boss Toto Wolff.

    Wolff: “He’s Causing Us Grey Hair” But Speed Justifies the Risk

    Speaking after the race, Wolff offered a candid, often humorous assessment of his young charge’s methodology. Revealing a post-race conversation with Marco Antonelli, the Mercedes chief stated: “I just discussed it with his father and we were joking: ‘What an idiot!’. No, that’s just Kimi. The white lines, we had to drum it into his head that he shouldn’t go over the white lines. Even in Monza, he still went over the white lines and [risked] the car. And the same with track limits. At a certain stage, I said to him: ‘Don’t you see out of the car? Do we need to sit you that high up so that you have [avoid] those track limit things? We had a laugh about it. And today, six laps to the end or whatever it was, he says: ‘Check the car, I just brushed the wall.’ What?! He’s causing us grey hair. But maybe he’s like this and maybe that’s what’s making him so quick.”

    Wolff doubled down on the characterization, adding: “He had to hit the wall again because he wants to go fast. Sometimes for me, he’s an inch too cool.” The team principal suggested this flat-out approach is a trait Mercedes will have to live with, at least until it eventually goes wrong. Yet, when pressed on whether the pressure of a maiden world championship challenge might alter the rookie’s mindset, Wolff was adamant it would not.

    Compartmentalization and the “Black Swan” Philosophy

    Addressing the championship implications for the youngest driver ever in such a position, Wolff insisted: “I promise you he’s not thinking about it. The way this kid is able to compartmentalise and be the young kid and then get into the car and be the mature racing driver… If Kimi says to himself: ‘I’m not thinking about the championship’, then he’s not thinking about the championship. We are also trying, the parents and myself, the team is saying: ‘You know, this is not finished.’ There are black swan events. They can come and you’re losing something out of your hands when you didn’t think it was possible to lose. So, he’s not going to think about it. We’re too grown up and mature for this. We think about worst-case scenarios. He doesn’t think about it.”

    Building on the lessons of a troubled debut year in 2025, Antonelli feels equipped to handle the season’s remaining challenges, whether the finale arrives in Abu Dhabi or at an impromptu home race in Imola near his native Bologna. He credits his support system for keeping him grounded. “I’m lucky to have really good people around me. I have an incredible team that supports me, a great family. Especially my dad is the one who keeps me on the ground. Especially when he sees that I might lose a little bit the way, he doesn’t [hesitate] to tell me off or to just tell me to come back to the ground. On my side, as I said many times, I just try to do my best every race, trying to really drive as fast as I can whenever I go in the car. And then we’ll see where we end up at the end of the year. But definitely I don’t want to overcomplicate things or just drive worrying about championship or results. Just driving, doing my best.”

    Why This Matters: The Antonelli Paradox

    Kimi Antonelli’s 2025 campaign represents a fascinating case study in modern Formula 1 driver management. Mercedes has invested heavily in the Italian teenager as a cornerstone of their post-Lewis Hamilton era, and his raw pace is undeniable. However, the Madrid weekend crystallized the central tension of his rookie season: the razor-thin line between “maximum attack” and “costly mistake.” The Madring circuit’s unforgiving walls and strict track limits acted as a pressure cooker, exposing the operational friction between a driver whose instinct is to push beyond the limit and an engineering team desperate for reliability. Wolff’s public joking—referencing “grey hair” and calling his own driver an “idiot” affectionately—signals a management strategy of acceptance rather than suppression. The team has calculated that neutering Antonelli’s aggression might dull the very weapon that makes him quick. The broader championship picture remains volatile; with Verstappen and Norris still in contention, Mercedes cannot afford a “black swan” event caused by an avoidable error. The coming rounds will test whether this high-wire act can be sustained until the checkered flag in Abu Dhabi.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What happened during Kimi Antonelli’s radio exchange with Pete Bonnington in Madrid?

    Early in the race, Antonelli reported a steering issue saying, “Check the car!” When Bonnington asked which corner, Antonelli clarified he hadn’t hit a wall but the steering felt weird. Later, with five laps to go, Antonelli struck the wall at Turn 7 entry, reporting, “I touched the wall on the entry to Turn 7.”

    How did Toto Wolff characterize Antonelli’s driving style after the race?

    Wolff described Antonelli as “an inch too cool” and revealed he and Marco Antonelli joked, “What an idiot!” regarding the track limits violations. Wolff acknowledged the aggression causes “grey hair” but suggested it might be the source of Antonelli’s speed, stating Mercedes will have to live with the approach until it goes wrong.

    Is Kimi Antonelli thinking about the 2025 World Championship?

    Both Wolff and Antonelli insist he is not. Wolff emphasized Antonelli’s ability to compartmentalize and stated the team and parents constantly remind him “this is not finished,” focusing on “black swan events” and worst-case scenarios. Antonelli said he simply tries to drive as fast as possible every race without overcomplicating things or worrying about the championship.

  • Kimi Antonelli and Mercedes Make Their Own Luck in Madrid

    Kimi Antonelli and Mercedes Make Their Own Luck in Madrid

    How Kimi Antonelli and Mercedes Mastered the VSC to Win the Spanish Grand Prix

    Kimi Antonelli’s victory at the Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix appeared to hinge on a stroke of luck when a Virtual Safety Car (VSC) was triggered by Lance Stroll’s retirement. However, a deeper look at the telemetry and team radio reveals a calculated masterclass in racecraft and strategy from the Mercedes rookie and his pitwall.

    The VSC Moment That Changed the Race

    The neutralisation period arrived at the precise moment to flip the script on a race that Lando Norris seemed destined to win. Norris had already passed the pitlane entry when the VSC was deployed, eliminating his chance to stop. Antonelli, conversely, managed to dive into the pits at the last second. He emerged with the “virtual” lead, slotting in just behind Charles Leclerc, who had yet to make his stop.

    While the timing was fortunate, it was not accidental. Mercedes had anticipated the neutralisation, and Antonelli manipulated his pace to buy the team the critical seconds required to execute the stop.

    Telemetry Reveals Deliberate Pace Management

    Data analysis highlights exactly how Antonelli created his own opportunity. The moment yellow flags flew for Stroll’s stranded Aston Martin at Turn 20, race engineer Peter Bonnington alerted the Italian. Antonelli immediately backed off—significantly more than required by the regulations.

    Comparing Lap 13 vs. Lap 14

    • Turn 19: Antonelli entered 29 km/h slower than on the previous lap.
    • Turn 20 Braking Zone: He arrived 24 km/h slower, lifting off the throttle much earlier.

    This deliberate deceleration cost him several tenths against Norris and Max Verstappen on track, but it gifted his strategists the time window needed to confirm the VSC and call him in.

    Antonelli vs. Verstappen Under Identical Conditions

    The contrast is stark when comparing Antonelli’s telemetry to Verstappen, who was running six seconds behind under the same yellow flags before the VSC was officially deployed:

    • Verstappen was 15 km/h faster through Turn 19.
    • Verstappen reached the Turn 20 braking point 18 km/h quicker, lifting later.

    Antonelli was not merely adhering to the yellow flag delta; he was actively managing the gap to the pit entry to ensure he would be in position if—and when—the race was neutralised.

    Driver and Pitwall in Perfect Sync

    Antonelli confirmed the pre-emptive nature of his actions after the race, crediting the early warning from his engineer.

    “In my case, the timing was perfect: Bono warned me in the final sector that a virtual safety car might come out, so I lifted off,” Antonelli said after the race. “I slowed down a bit on purpose to see if I could catch the VSC right before the pit entry, and it worked out great.”

    The Mercedes pitwall had already flagged a high probability of a VSC based on real-time analysis of Stroll’s incident. This foresight allowed the strategy group to initiate the communication chain before Race Control made the official call.

    Three-Second Decision Making

    Team principal Toto Wolff praised the speed of the internal process, estimating the entire chain—from strategy identification to driver execution—took roughly three seconds.

    “The chain of command, the process was great,” Wolff said. “The strategy group had it on their mind, obviously, and then someone said, ‘That’s not going to clear quickly with the Aston Martin in the wall’. And then it was strategy to Bono, Bono double-checked, Bono to Kimi, and that was all. We’re talking about three seconds.”

    Racecraft Beyond the Years

    It remains impossible to quantify exactly how many tenths Antonelli’s deliberate lifting contributed to the successful stop versus the VSC timing itself. However, the episode serves as a compelling case study in the 18-year-old’s ability to read a race dynamically. By anticipating the neutralisation and adjusting his speed proactively, he handed his team the margin required to execute a race-winning strategy.

  • Sebastian Vettel: “I’d be very happy” for Kimi Antonelli to become F1’s youngest champion

    Sebastian Vettel: “I’d be very happy” for Kimi Antonelli to become F1’s youngest champion

    Vettel Backs Antonelli to Shatter Youngest Champion Record

    Sebastian Vettel has declared he will be “very happy” if Kimi Antonelli eclipses his long-standing record as Formula 1’s youngest world champion. The four-time title winner set the benchmark in 2010 at 23 years, four months and 11 days, trimming five-and-a-half months off Lewis Hamilton’s 2008 mark.

    Antonelli Poised to Rewrite History

    Antonelli, still only 20, is increasingly favored to claim the 2025 crown. His victory at the Spanish Grand Prix extended his championship lead over Mercedes teammate George Russell to a commanding 81 points, putting the Italian on course to become the sport’s youngest-ever title holder.

    Speaking in Monza, Vettel offered unreserved support for the youngster:

    “I’d be very happy for him. He had an incredible year. There’s the old phrase that records are there to be broken. He still has a lot of years ahead of him to do so.

    “I love the sport, so as a spectator it’s very exciting. I’d wish for the others to come back and be more in the mix. I’m independent and happy for [him] because I know how much work there is behind it to achieve it, and whoever will win will deserve it as well.”

    Records Already Falling

    Antonelli has already claimed several milestones once held by Vettel. The Italian secured his maiden pole position and first hat-trick (pole, win, fastest lap) at 19 years old this season; Vettel achieved those feats at 21 in 2008 and 2009 respectively.

    Antonelli’s growing collection of youth records also includes youngest fastest-lap scorer, race leader, championship leader and grand-chelem achiever — marks previously held by Hamilton and Max Verstappen. Verstappen retains the records for youngest driver, points scorer, podium finisher and race winner in F1 history.

    Mutual Respect Between Generations

    The Mercedes driver expressed gratitude for his predecessor’s encouragement:

    “It’s great. Seb is incredible. He’s a friend of mine, always sends some messages after every race weekend or even before some of them.

    “It’s great to see so much support from him and so much appreciation as well. Definitely, I’m very happy to get his messages, and for sure they make a little difference in going into the weekend or even after.”

    F1’s Top 10 Youngest World Champions

    Year Driver Team Age
    2010 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull 23y, 4m, 11d
    2008 Lewis Hamilton McLaren 23y, 9m, 26d
    2005 Fernando Alonso Renault 24y, 1m, 27d
    2021 Max Verstappen Red Bull 24y, 2m, 12d
    2011 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull 24y, 3m, 6d
    2022 Max Verstappen Red Bull 25y, 9d
    2006 Fernando Alonso Renault 25y, 2m, 23d
    2012 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull 25y, 4m, 22d
    1972 Emerson Fittipaldi Lotus 25y, 8m, 29d
    1994 Michael Schumacher Benetton 25y, 10m, 10d

    Additional reporting by Ronald Vording and Filip Cleeren

  • Nico Rosberg Stunned by Kimi Antonelli’s “Unbelievable” Maturity Amid 2026 F1 Title Fight

    Nico Rosberg Stunned by Kimi Antonelli’s “Unbelievable” Maturity Amid 2026 F1 Title Fight

    Rosberg Astonished by Antonelli’s Maturity as Mercedes Rookie Extends 2026 Title Lead

    2016 Formula 1 World Champion Nico Rosberg says he has been left astonished by Kimi Antonelli’s composure during the 2026 season, after the Mercedes rookie secured his eighth victory of the year at the inaugural Spanish Grand Prix held at the Madring circuit.

    The win extends Antonelli’s commanding lead atop the Drivers’ Championship to 81 points over teammate George Russell, who sits second in the standings. The Italian entered the season as a title contender alongside the experienced Russell but has rapidly established himself as the class of the field.

    Rosberg Draws Parallels to 2016 Title Pressure

    Speaking to Sky Sports F1 after the Madrid race, Rosberg compared Antonelli’s current mindset to the intense psychological burden he carried during his own championship-winning campaign.

    “We are all human. He’s not superhuman,” Rosberg said. “I was absolutely terrified that it was hard to drive properly. The nearer I got to the end of the season, it was impossible for me to win races or get pole because my brain capacity had so much fear of losing my dream with a stupid mistake or with something which can easily happen.

    “At some point he will have to feel that a little bit. But it’s unbelievable so far how solid and mature he is. Even Toto can’t believe it.”

    Rosberg’s reference to fear paralyzing performance late in a title fight underscores the rarity of Antonelli’s consistency. Despite being only 20 years old, the Italian became the youngest driver ever to lead the championship following back-to-back wins at the Chinese and Japanese Grands Prix, and has only strengthened his grip since.

    Wolff: Antonelli is “Cool as a Cucumber”

    Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff echoed Rosberg’s amazement, describing his young driver’s demeanor as almost preternaturally calm.

    “I think he’s cool – sometimes an inch too cool! When he brushes the wall five laps from the end and comes on the radio ‘check the car’, you’re like ‘really, again, white lines, walls’ but maybe that’s how he keeps himself in the zone,” Wolff said.

    “Almost his youth helps him a lot because he’s 20. He could stay in this sport for 20 years with so many opportunities. He’s so above all of our expectations and his own. He’s just going with the flow.

    “I think there is also a genetic factor. You are born cool as a cucumber or you’re not. You can see this in junior formula or karting – taking pressure easier.

    “He’s taken this to another level. We are talking about Formula 1. You see junior drivers crumbling in Formula 2.

    “He’s just doing his thing. We told him ‘this is a race where we need to bring it home, need to score points whether it’s P2 or P5, we don’t care, just drive it home’. He does that and goes fast.”

    Wolff’s assessment highlights a maturity that defies the typical rookie trajectory. While many questioned when the pressure would finally affect the young Italian, Antonelli continues to deliver race-winning speed alongside the discipline of a veteran.

    Championship Momentum Builds for Mercedes Phenom

    With eight victories already secured and a substantial points cushion over a proven race-winner in Russell, Antonelli’s maiden title appears increasingly inevitable. The Madrid weekend served as further evidence that the Mercedes driver possesses not only raw pace but the psychological resilience required to close out a championship—a trait that even a former champion like Rosberg finds remarkable.

  • His Worst Races Would Be Enough: Remarkable Stats Behind Kimi Antonelli’s Title Hopes

    His Worst Races Would Be Enough: Remarkable Stats Behind Kimi Antonelli’s Title Hopes

    Kimi Antonelli’s Commanding 2026 F1 Title Lead: Can Anyone Catch the Mercedes Rookie?

    With 14 rounds complete, the 2026 Formula 1 World Championship resembles a coronation more than a contest. Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli holds an 81-point advantage over team-mate George Russell, 101 points over Lewis Hamilton, and a staggering 106-point buffer to Lando Norris.

    Historical Context: No Precedent for a Comeback This Late

    In absolute terms, the largest deficit ever overturned was Max Verstappen’s 46-point gap to Charles Leclerc in 2022 — but that was after only the third race in Melbourne. Verstappen went on to clinch his second title comfortably, finishing with 454 points to Leclerc’s 308.

    Relatively speaking, James Hunt’s 1976 charge — immortalized in the film Rush — was arguably more impressive. Hunt faced a 35-point deficit to Niki Lauda when a grand prix win was worth just nine points, compared to 25 today. Scaled proportionally, that 35-point gap equates to roughly 97 points under the current system — still smaller than Antonelli’s lead over Norris.

    Calendar Uncertainty: Eight or Nine Rounds Remaining?

    The exact number of remaining race weekends is unclear. Geopolitical tensions cast doubt on the Qatar Grand Prix on 29 November and the Abu Dhabi finale on 6 December. Growing indications suggest one or both could be cancelled, with Imola lined up as a potential replacement season finale.

    If the calendar shrinks to eight rounds, Antonelli’s rivals would have a theoretical maximum of 208 points available: eight grand prix victories (25 points each) plus eight sprint points from the Singapore event.

    Verstappen on Antonelli: “He Should Not Stress About It Too Much”

    Max Verstappen, who turned a seemingly hopeless 2025 campaign into a genuine title fight with a winning streak, offered his assessment after Antonelli’s Spanish Grand Prix victory in Madrid.

    “Kimi just needs to do what he’s doing. I mean, it’s fantastic”, Verstappen said after Antonelli’s latest victory at the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid. “So, it’s working really well. He should not stress about it too much, which I don’t think he is. He’s just delivering, he’s confident, he’s getting more and more experience.

    “He’s still young, he’s still very early in his career, but he’s flying and it’s just working. So he shouldn’t overcomplicate things. He’s not doing that. He has a lot of good people around him that know what he needs. So, it’s all working well.”

    The four-time champion is likely referring to Antonelli’s support structure: father Marco, who travels to every round; team principal Toto Wolff, managing expectations; and race engineer Peter Bonnington, whose years with Hamilton bring championship-winning calm to the garage.

    Form Guide: Is Lando Norris the Only Real Threat?

    If any driver can pressure Antonelli, it is defending champion Norris. The McLaren driver won in Budapest before the summer break and again at Zandvoort, finished fourth at Monza, and — but for an ill-timed Virtual Safety Car — would have claimed a third win in four races at Madrid.

    Yet even a perfect 208-point haul for Norris — an extreme hypothetical — would only require Antonelli to score 103 points across the remaining rounds to secure the title. For context, Antonelli’s eight worst grand prix results this season have still yielded 116 points.

    Can Lando Norris chase down Kimi Antonelli? Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images

    Norris: “He’s Doing a Scarily Good Job”

    “He is more than likely to go on and win the championship,” Norris admits.

    “He’s leading by 80 points because he’s doing an incredible job. You know, he’s beating a much more experienced team-mate, and a decent team-mate, so I don’t want to give him any advice because he’s doing a scarily good job at, you know, just turned 20. So yeah, pretty phenomenal. I think it’s cool to see someone so young doing such an incredible job.

    “He’s been impressive since the first race this year. Very few mistakes. He’s, you know, he’s just not driving like it’s his second year in F1, that’s for sure. So yeah, it’s cool to see and, yeah, I don’t want to… There’s going to be many, many more years of us battling and, yeah, I’m excited for more, hopefully this year, and I’m excited for all of us to race more in the future too.”

    Russell All But Concedes: “Exceptionally Unlikely”

    Earlier on Sunday evening, Russell — Antonelli’s closest challenger in the standings — offered a blunt assessment after finishing fifth in Madrid.

    George Russell in the Mercedes garage
    George Russell has all but conceded defeat to his team-mate. Photo by: Andy Hone / LAT Images via Getty Images

    “I’m not going to say it’s over”, Russell said after finishing fifth in the Spanish Grand Prix. “But it’s exceptionally unlikely that I’m in this fight.”

    Whichever way the numbers are sliced, the conclusion remains the same: Antonelli’s championship coronation appears a matter of when, not if.

  • Kimi Antonelli’s “precious” moment with father goes viral after Spanish GP win

    Kimi Antonelli’s “precious” moment with father goes viral after Spanish GP win

    Key Highlights

    • Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli secured his eighth Formula 1 victory at the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid, extending his championship lead to 81 points over teammate George Russell.
    • A heartwarming post-race moment between Antonelli and his father Marco went viral, featuring a red carnation exchange and embrace that fans described as “wholesome” and “precious.”
    • Despite his commanding points advantage, the 20-year-old Italian insists he is not focusing on the championship title, preferring a race-by-race approach ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on September 24-26.

    Antonelli Dominates in Madrid as Championship Lead Grows

    Andrea Kimi Antonelli continued his remarkable rookie campaign with a decisive victory at the Spanish Grand Prix, marking his eighth win of the Formula 1 season. The Mercedes driver crossed the finish line in Madrid to claim another 25 points, stretching his advantage in the drivers’ standings to a commanding 81-point margin over teammate George Russell, who currently occupies second place. The result further cements Antonelli’s status as the overwhelming favorite for the championship with six rounds remaining on the calendar.

    Viral Father-Son Moment Captures Hearts

    Beyond the on-track dominance, it was a tender post-race scene that captured the imagination of the global Formula 1 community. After parking his Mercedes on the grid, Antonelli was greeted at the barriers by his father, Marco Antonelli, who held a single red carnation. As he handed the flower to his son, the pair shared a laugh and an embrace before the 20-year-old proceeded to his pre-podium duties. The moment, quickly dubbed “Papanelli” by fans—a blend of “Papa” and Antonelli—exploded across social media platforms.

    On Reddit, one user commented, “Such a wholesome moment. Kimi is so easy to root for,” while another joked, “What is this, The Bachelor?” Over on X, the sentiment was equally warm: “The fact that little red carnation was from Papanelli. Stop, that’s so precious,” read one post. Further reactions included, “This is the most Italian thing ever and I love it! Andiamo Kimi!” and the bold declaration, “The new GOAT.”

    Champion’s Mindset: Race by Race

    Despite the near-insurmountable lead, Antonelli refused to engage in title talk during his post-race media duties. When pressed on the prospect of securing his maiden world championship, the Italian was unequivocal in his focus.

    “Well, that’s exactly what I don’t want to do,” Antonelli explained after the race. “I want to keep pushing race by race, you know, keep delivering and keep enjoying all the way, and then, you know, trying to do my best every race. And then we’ll see where we end up at the end of the year.”

    Why This Matters

    Antonelli’s 81-point lead with six races remaining places him in a historically dominant position; mathematically, he could clinch the title as early as the next round in Azerbaijan if results align. However, his public insistence on a process-oriented mindset mirrors the approach taken by recent champions who avoided early complacency. For Mercedes, the Spanish Grand Prix weekend validated their 2024 development trajectory and solidified Antonelli’s status as the franchise’s new cornerstone following Lewis Hamilton’s departure. The Baku City Circuit, hosting rounds 15 through 26 September, presents a unique low-downforce challenge where Mercedes has historically excelled, offering Antonelli a prime opportunity to move within striking distance of the crown.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How many points does Kimi Antonelli lead the championship by?

    Antonelli leads the drivers’ championship by 81 points over his Mercedes teammate George Russell following his victory at the Spanish Grand Prix.

    When is the next Formula 1 race?

    The next round is the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, scheduled for September 24-26 at the Baku City Circuit.

    What was the significance of the red carnation moment?

    The red carnation was given to Antonelli by his father, Marco Antonelli, in a spontaneous post-race celebration that went viral on social media, with fans praising the genuine, emotional display between father and son.

  • Mercedes thought it had pole position until Lando Norris took it

    Mercedes thought it had pole position until Lando Norris took it

    Mercedes Formula 1 team principal Toto Wolff briefly believed rookie Kimi Antonelli had secured pole position for the Spanish Grand Prix – until Lando Norris snatched it away in the closing moments of qualifying at the new Madring circuit.

    Antonelli’s Strong Run Fallen Short

    Antonelli markedly improved on his initial Q3 benchmark of 1m32.140s with a blistering 1m31.835s on his second flying lap, outpacing all rivals by at least 0.178 seconds. All, that is, except one. Norris, whose first effort sat at 1m32.525s, vaulted to pole position with a 1m31.824s – a margin of just 0.011s – despite what McLaren team principal Andrea Stella described as a three-tenth loss in the final corner.

    Wolff Sees the Positive in P2

    Wolff admitted he didn’t see the McLaren surge coming but preferred to frame the result as a gain rather than a loss.

    “It’s gained, looking at it that way,” Wolff told Austrian broadcaster ORF. “Before the weekend, I never believed we’d be at the front on this track layout.

    “When Lewis crossed the line, it seemed clear we were winning this. And then Lando puts in a lap like that under conditions that suddenly got so hot, where he is so good at managing rear overheating. It’s flawless.”

    McLaren had been slower than Mercedes in every practice session and qualifying segment prior to Q3, making the sudden performance swing a surprise to the Mercedes camp.

    “That surprised us, too,” he said. “But Lando has shown in the past that he can occasionally pull out a lap like that. Especially when it comes to getting a handle on rear axle overheating as best as possible. And in that regard, I think he’s in a league of his own.”

    Race Strategy Focused on Championship Battle

    Asked how he expected Sunday’s race to unfold, Wolff pointed directly to the drivers’ championship fight. Lewis Hamilton, identified as Mercedes’ main title rival, currently trails Antonelli by 76 points, while George Russell holds a slender 10-point advantage over his former teammate.

    “The most important thing is that we don’t crash into anything; that wouldn’t be good for the cost cap,” he pointed out. “And not losing points to Lewis and Ferrari. I think here you have to score, drive home, hopefully end up on the podium, hopefully ahead of Lewis. Then we’ve reached our goals.”

  • 2026 Spanish GP FP3: Antonelli Fastest as Hamilton, Bearman Crash at Madring

    2026 Spanish GP FP3: Antonelli Fastest as Hamilton, Bearman Crash at Madring

    Antonelli Tops Disrupted FP3 in Barcelona as Hamilton and Bearman Crash

    Andrea Kimi Antonelli set the pace in the final practice session for the Spanish Grand Prix, leading a Mercedes 1-2-4 on the timesheets as the hour at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya was twice halted by heavy accidents for Lewis Hamilton and Ollie Bearman.

    Delayed Start and Early Incidents

    Despite the urgency to gather data at the revised Spanish venue ahead of a critical Qualifying session on Saturday afternoon, the opening five minutes passed without a car on track. The leading contenders, including Lando Norris—who missed almost all of Friday’s second session with a gearbox issue on his McLaren—waited even longer for representative conditions.

    Norris aborted his first flying lap on soft Pirellis after cutting the chicane at Turn 5. Meanwhile, the Ferraris of Hamilton and Charles Leclerc moved to the top of the order. Home favourite Carlos Sainz narrowly avoided head-on contact with the barrier at Turn 7, while his Williams team-mate Alex Albon had earlier glanced the wall at the exit of Turn 20, breaking a rear track rod.

    Hamilton Crash Brings First Red Flag

    Antonelli moved to the top of the times as the 20-minute mark approached, posting a 1m 33.664s before Leclerc lowered the benchmark to 1m 33.332s moments later. Hamilton appeared set to usurp his team-mate on his next effort, but the seven-time World Champion went head-on into the barrier at the final corner, bringing out the red flag.

    The Ferrari driver attempted to return to the pits dragging a broken front wing and a front-right puncture, but pulled over after being instructed to stop by the team multiple times. The session was paused for barrier repairs before resuming with just 15 minutes remaining, prompting a frantic scramble for representative lap time.

    Leclerc Breaks 1m 33s Barrier Before Antonelli Responds

    Arvid Lindblad also returned to action for the first time since his FP2 crash as Racing Bulls rushed to fix a problem on his newly-rebuilt car. Leclerc immediately improved, becoming the first driver to dip below the 1m 33s barrier with a 1m 32.963s. Antonelli’s first attempt fell three tenths short of Oscar Piastri, while George Russell sat half a second adrift in fourth.

    Norris, on just his third flying lap of the day and with minimal mileage, moved to within one-tenth of Leclerc’s leading time. With five minutes remaining, Antonelli delivered a 1m 32.797s to reclaim the top spot.

    Bearman Crash Ends Session Early

    That time stood as the fastest of the session after a second red flag was deployed in the final minute. Bearman crashed his Haas at high speed through Turn 10, leaving his team facing a race against time to repair the car for Qualifying.

    Final FP3 Classification

    Antonelli finished just over one-tenth clear of Leclerc, with Piastri, Norris, Max Verstappen (Red Bull), Russell (Mercedes), Liam Lawson (Red Bull), Nico Hulkenberg (Audi), Hamilton, and Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) completing the top 10.

    Franco Colapinto was 11th for Alpine, followed by the Haas pair of Esteban Ocon and Bearman, Lindblad, and Yuki Tsunoda (Racing Bulls). Pierre Gasly (Alpine) placed 16th ahead of home hero Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin), Sainz, Lance Stroll (Aston Martin), the Cadillacs of Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas, and Albon, who set no time.

  • David Croft hails Kimi Antonelli’s maturity as F1 title charge gathers pace

    David Croft hails Kimi Antonelli’s maturity as F1 title charge gathers pace

    Sky Sports Formula 1 lead commentator David Croft has backed Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli to become a younger world champion than Max Verstappen, citing the Italian’s rapid development and exceptional maturity.

    Historic Monza Victory Extends Championship Lead

    Antonelli delivered an incredible performance at last weekend’s Italian Grand Prix, driving from 19th on the grid to victory in front of his home crowd. The 20-year-old became the first home driver to win at Monza in 60 years, extending his championship lead over his team-mate George Russell to 66 points ahead of this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix.

    Croft Draws Parallels With Verstappen’s Early Career

    During an appearance on the Sky Sports F1 Show, Croft compared Antonelli’s current trajectory to that of Verstappen, who made his F1 debut at 17, won his first race at 18 and his first championship at 24.

    “12 months ago he was at Monza and was just coming out of a very difficult period where, from the podium in Canada, things had started to go wrong and he wasn’t happy,” Croft explained. “He was working really hard with Bono [Peter Bonnington] to try and put things right and then went on a really good run towards the end of the season.

    “It’s almost like he’s growing up with less experience than Max. Max had that experience with Toro Rosso for a season and then a couple of races before he went up to the Red Bull team.

    “He’s doing things earlier than Max. He’s going to be a younger world champion than Max was. He is a younger polesitter. He is a younger grand prix winner. He’s getting everything done very, very early indeed and showing a lot of maturity with it.

    Emotional Control Marks Generational Talent

    Croft emphasized that Antonelli’s emotional control distinguishes him as a generational talent, noting visible improvement in the youngster’s racecraft.

    “I’ve seen and heard signs on the track this year where he’s controlling his emotions. He’s calming down. He’s keeping a lid on things that might have got the better of him 12 months ago.

    “That is why people are saying this man is a generational talent because it’s one thing to have an ability, it’s another to have that controlled ability and to start being very mature at an age where I think all three of us can agree we certainly wouldn’t have been capable of doing anything near what Kimi Antonelli is doing.”

    Record-Breaking Season Underway

    Antonelli took the lead of the standings after back-to-back wins in the Chinese and Japanese Grands Prix. He went on to secure four more victories before the summer break and his win in Italy was his seventh F1 win.

    For context, Sebastian Vettel became the youngest F1 champion in history, claiming his first title in 2010 at the age of 23 years and 134 days.

    Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing. Photo by: Steven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images